“Remember that cup? Got it at St. John’s for sprinting. You were second, Craighill, a fact which I always remember with satisfaction. That’s the only bit of ancient memorabilia that I lug about with me. Those were the good times of the consulship of Plancus all right, and seeing you brings them back with a rush. Off here is a little special indulgence I allow myself—a shower; I take all my ice water that way. But let’s go down and see what they’re doing below.”
Joe had put the assembly room in order and stood by the door discussing baseball with a group of admiring youngsters. Paddock had carried his hat and coat to the assembly room.
“I’m going to take Miss Morley and her friend into town. Here they are now.”
The young women were just appearing at the head of the basement stairway. Joe crossed the room to meet Wayne.
“Are you ready, sir?”
“Yes, bring the car up. And, Paddock, if you are going in with those women, I’ll take you all in the car; there’s plenty of room.”
“Thank you. I’m sure we’ll be grateful. The trolleys are a torture.”
Wayne went into the street to where Joe was lighting the car lamps at the curb, leaving Paddock to repeat his invitation to the young women. As he returned to the assembly room Miss Morley met him.
“It’s kind of you to offer to take us in; but it’s unnecessary for Mr. Paddock to go. He means to come back here to-night and it’s a hard trip. After what I said to you that day at the Institute you might think——”
“Yes,” he said, fumbling the buttons of his coat.